Postpartum period: definition and meaning
The postpartum period is the time after giving birth when the body recovers and hormones shift back toward their pre-pregnancy pattern. It is often defined as the first 6 weeks, though many experts now describe the whole first year as postpartum. It includes lochia, the bleeding after birth, and eventually the return of periods.
Lochia vs your first period
The bleeding in the weeks after birth is lochia, not a period. It starts heavy and red, then fades to pink, brown and yellowish-white over about 4 to 6 weeks. Your first real period comes later and depends a lot on feeding.
| Situation | First period usually returns |
|---|---|
| Not breastfeeding | Around 5 to 12 weeks after birth |
| Partly breastfeeding | Variable, often a few months |
| Exclusively breastfeeding | Often months later, sometimes after weaning |
You can ovulate before your first period, so pregnancy is possible before periods return. Read period after pregnancy and period while breastfeeding.
Mood after birth
Hormones fall sharply after birth. Many people have the "baby blues" in the first two weeks: tearful, anxious, overwhelmed. Postpartum depression is more lasting and affects about 1 in 7 people. Some notice mood changes again when cycles return, especially if they had PMS or PMDD before. See postpartum mood and your cycle.
Get urgent help for very heavy bleeding (soaking a pad an hour), large clots, fever, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. In the US you can call or text 988, in the UK Samaritans are on 116 123.
Frequently asked questions
Is my first period after birth heavier?
It often is, and it may be irregular for a few cycles. Tell a doctor if bleeding is very heavy.
Can I get pregnant before my period returns?
Yes, because ovulation comes before the first period. Breastfeeding alone is only reliable under strict conditions.
Sources
This page is for information only and isn鈥檛 medical advice. If something worries you, please talk to a doctor.
Keep reading
Your period after pregnancy: when it comes back and what changesYour period after pregnancy: when it usually returns with and without breastfeeding, why ovulation comes first, what first periods feel like, and red flags.
Postpartum mood swings and your returning cyclePostpartum mood swings explained: baby blues vs postnatal depression, why PMS can feel stronger when your period returns, what helps, and when to get help.Periods while breastfeeding: when they return and what changesYour period while breastfeeding: why it's delayed, when it usually comes back, whether it affects your milk, pregnancy before it returns, and red flags.
What is a trimester?A trimester is one of the three stages of pregnancy. Which weeks each trimester covers, what changes in each, and how weeks are counted from your last period.When does your period come back after birth?Your period after birth can return in 6 to 8 weeks if you're not breastfeeding, or months later if you are. Lochia vs a period, and what's normal.